Two former Parramatta Eels players are accused of harbouring semi-automatic weapons and possessing more than half-a-million dollars in cash after dramatic arrests in Sydney's Centennial Park yesterday.

Senate has four days to clear bills

The Gillard government has presented the Senate with a massive legislative agenda for parliament's final week.

The upper house will have four sitting days next week to consider 54 government bills and there could be more, depending on what legislation is passed by the House of Representatives.

The 43rd Parliament is due to rise next Thursday, the last scheduled sitting day before the September 14 election.

The government wants the Senate first-up on Monday to pass legislation allowing a referendum for the constitutional recognition of local government.

The referendum will be held in conjunction with the election.

Later in the week the government will ask the upper house to approve legislation for a revamp of the Australia Council, the nation's arts funding body, various taxation bills, its aged care package and changes to private health insurance.

Also on the list is the Australian Education Bill which implements the recommendations of the Gonski review into schools funding.